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How to achieve a highly crafted look with chalky, matte finishes.
By Sue Wadden
Matte finishes are having a serious design moment. I love matte’s recent popularity — matte is powdery, soft and strongly tactile — which makes for a gorgeous, highly crafted look in any room. Matte — also called chalky or dusty finish — gives surfaces a softer look than a glossier counterpart. Follow my simple design tips to give matte a go in your next project:
Go beyond walls
You don’t have to confine chalky finishes to only walls. This modern yet timeless look transcends categories and works on tabletops, plumbing fixtures, furniture and coatings. Its versatility taps into the growing importance of “touchable” surfaces that are both refined and soft.
Use matte on a statement piece of furniture — like an oversized coffee table or dresser — for an artisanal-looking finish that leaves the mark of the maker apparent on the surface. This gives an authentic, not highly produced, vibe. Whichever surface you use them on, these finishes will reflect the quiet tranquility of the modern and minimal design movement.
Pair up
Chalky surfaces pair well with two materials in particular right now: For an organic and natural feel, pair chalky finishes with unfinished, unstained or raw-treated woods. Although coupling chalky finishes with unfinished wood may not create a lot of contrast, it will achieve the Scandinavian-design vibe many homeowners are seeking.
Conversely, juxtaposing high-shined metals — particularly warm metals like brass or copper — with matte creates an eye-catching contemporary look. Try pairing brushed copper light fixtures, brass art frames or furniture with brass accents with powder finishes. The polished metal will pop against a matte background, giving statement pieces or a client’s favorite artwork a new way to shine.
Finish the look
The great thing about matte finishes now is that advanced paint technology allows for dead flat surfaces to be extremely durable. So not only will a matte surface help hide surface imperfections in a wall because light doesn’t reflect off the high points, but premium matte finishes like Duration Home® Interior Acrylic Latex Paint are also very washable. They resist surface marring and smudgy fingers, which is great if your client has kids like I do. So don’t be afraid to use matte finishes in places you may have avoided using them before.
Plus, matte finishes go well with an array of colors. I love to pair them with moody, dark hues or soft, warm pastels. Go dark matte on a statement wall, or on furniture that’s a room’s focal point. For an overall minimal look, feel free to use lighter, matte colors in any room, on any wall of a client’s home. Regardless of the room, wall or surface, this finish will provide a beautiful, versatile result.
